Paul Pierce (Part 3)

8FnM...nem8

9 Mar 2024

Paul Pierce (Part 3)

The 2012–13 season presented challenges for the Boston Celtics, particularly with the absence of All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo due to a torn ACL injury. Despite the setbacks, Pierce demonstrated his enduring skill and leadership on the court, delivering several standout performances throughout the season.
Pierce's versatility was showcased in his triple-double performances during the season. On January 27, 2013, against the Miami Heat, he recorded his first triple-double of the season with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Just a few weeks later, on February 10, 2013, Pierce notched his second triple-double of the season against the Denver Nuggets, scoring 27 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out 14 assists. This accomplishment made him the oldest player, in a game of any length, to achieve at least 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, surpassing the record previously held by Larry Bird. Pierce continued his impressive performance on March 29, 2013, against the Atlanta Hawks, recording his third triple-double of the season with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Despite Rondo's absence and other challenges, Pierce remained a consistent contributor for the Celtics throughout the season. He finished with season averages of 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. The Celtics managed to secure the 7th seed in the playoffs with a 41–40 record, with one game not played due to the Boston Marathon bombing.
In the playoffs, the Celtics faced the New York Knicks in the first round but ultimately fell short, losing the series in six games. Pierce continued to lead by example during the postseason, averaging 19.2 points per game. However, his shooting efficiency dipped, with percentages of 36.8 percent from the field and 26.8 percent from three-point range. Despite the disappointing playoff exit, Pierce's contributions throughout the season underscored his importance to the Celtics and solidified his reputation as a resilient and skilled player in the NBA.

Following the trade to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013, Paul Pierce joined forces with Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry in pursuit of another championship. The trade, which also involved future first-round picks and several players, signaled a new chapter in Pierce's career.
In the 2013–14 season, Pierce played a significant role for the Nets, appearing in 75 games and starting in 68 of them. He averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in 28.0 minutes of play. Notably, Pierce achieved several milestones during this season, including scoring 1,000 points for the 15th consecutive season, a feat achieved by only a handful of players in NBA history. Additionally, he surpassed Allen Iverson and Patrick Ewing on the NBA's all-time scoring list, moving up to 18th place. Pierce also ranked fifth in NBA history with 1,935 career three-pointers made and recorded his highest number of steals in a season since 2007–08.

On April 11, 2014, Pierce further solidified his legacy by becoming the fourth active player and the 18th player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points. His consistent performance and leadership on the court contributed to the Nets' competitiveness throughout the season.
Heading into the playoffs, the Nets were considered contenders in the Eastern Conference, with Pierce and Garnett providing veteran leadership alongside stars like Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez. Despite a hard-fought first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, which saw Pierce make a crucial last-second block in Game 7, the Nets were unable to overcome the Miami Heat in the second round. They fell to the Heat in five games, ending their championship aspirations for the season.
Although the season concluded without a championship, Pierce's impact on the Nets and his continued excellence on the court further solidified his status as one of the NBA's all-time greats.

After his stint with the Brooklyn Nets, Paul Pierce joined the Washington Wizards in 2014, signing a two-year, $11 million contract. Pierce made an immediate impact with the Wizards, showcasing his scoring prowess and climbing the NBA's all-time scoring list.
During the 2014–15 season, Pierce continued to etch his name in NBA history. He surpassed Jerry West to claim the 17th spot on the NBA's career scoring list with a 14-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks on November 25, 2014. Just two weeks later, Pierce moved up to 16th place by surpassing Reggie Miller, scoring a season-high 28 points against his former team, the Boston Celtics.

Pierce also demonstrated his proficiency from beyond the arc, passing Jason Kidd for fourth all-time in three-pointers made on January 14, 2015. Eleven days later, he achieved another milestone by recording his 2,000th career three-pointer in a game against the Denver Nuggets.
Throughout the regular season, Pierce maintained a steady contribution to the Wizards, despite averaging a career-low 11.9 points per game. However, his impact was felt most profoundly in the playoffs.

In a crucial moment during the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Atlanta Hawks on May 9, 2015, Pierce delivered a game-winning shot at the buzzer, securing a 103–101 victory for the Wizards and giving them a 2–1 series lead. Despite his heroics, the Wizards ultimately fell short in Game 6 of the series, with Pierce's last-second three-pointer being ruled out after a review showed the clock expired before he released the ball.
After the season, Pierce opted out of the second year of his contract with the Wizards, becoming a free agent once again. His brief tenure in Washington showcased his enduring talent and clutch performances in critical moments, further cementing his legacy as one of the NBA's greatest players.